The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution urging an end to the conflict in Ukraine as the Russian invasion of Ukraine marks one year. India once more abstained from voting on the resolution, as it had done with all other international ones, claiming that it wasn’t sufficient to bring about a lasting peace.
In the UN General Assembly resolution held on February 23, titled “Principles of the Charter of the United Nations Underlying a Comprehensive, Just, and Lasting Peace in Ukraine,” India abstained from voting.
The draft resolution, put forth by Ukraine and adopted by the 193-member General Assembly, emphasised the need to accomplish a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine following the principles of the UN Charter.
In addition to solidifying support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity within its recognised borders, the resolution urged member states and international organisations to assist in diplomatic efforts to bring peace to the country.
Along with calling for an end to hostilities, the resolution demanded that Russia immediately remove all its military personnel from Ukrainian soil.
The resolution was approved by 141 countries, with 32 countries abstaining from the vote and seven voting against it.
Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Eritrea, Mali, Nicaragua, and Syria are the seven countries that voted against the resolution.
China, South Africa, and Iran were among the 32 countries that did not vote.
India has previously abstained from voting on similar resolutions calling on Russia to end its invasion at both the UNGA and the UNSC.
Since the end of the Cold War, India and Russia have shared a diplomatic relationship. Despite its share declining in recent years, Russia remains India’s top supplier of weapons.
Moscow has exercised its veto over UNSC resolutions regarding the disputed Kashmir region, showing their diplomatic cooperation.
Ruchira Kamboj, India’s permanent representative to the UN, stated that India is dedicated to multilateralism and the UN Charter’s tenets. Still, the resolution has “inherent limitations” that prevent it from accomplishing its intended purpose.
According to her, in Ukraine, the conflict has resulted in the loss of countless lives and misery, particularly for women, children, and the elderly, with millions becoming homeless and forced to seek shelter in neighbouring countries. India is concerned about the developments in Ukraine. She reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remark, “this is not the era of war.”
According to international law and principles, she highlighted how transparent it is that civilians or civilian infrastructure should not be attacked during a war between two countries. Kamboj discussed the “unintended consequences” of the war on the Global South. She emphasised that the concerns of developing countries should be taken seriously and their voices should be heard.
Russia – Ukraine war
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began a year ago, and there are indications that things are about to get worse all over. In a recent announcement, the West promised to provide Ukraine with more advanced weapons.
Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, responded by announcing the suspension of his nation’s membership in the New Start treaty, which could spark a nuclear arms race.
Putin has already added hundreds of thousands of troops to Russian positions along the 1,000 km-long frontlines in Ukraine.
With unrestricted access to Western arms, Ukraine hopes to halt the Russian invasion and regain its lost land. The possibility of a dispute between Russia and NATO—both nuclear-armed nations—is increasing as the war drags on.
The present state of conflict
In the coming future, Russia is anticipated to begin a new offensive. In some battlegrounds along the frontline, there has been concentrated fighting recently.
In Donetsk, one of the four Ukrainian regions that President Putin annexed in September, the city of Bakhmut is situated at the intersection of several arteries.
After seven months, PMC Wagner, a private Russian security force with ties to the Kremlin, has been engaged in combat to seize the city. Wagner seized Soledar, a town with a salt mine on Bakhmut’s outskirts, and several other settlements nearby last month. All major routes into Bakhmut are currently under Russian control, except for Chasiv Yar, which Ukrainian forces are using to resupply and reinforce their forces.
Two more Russian fronts have opened in Izium and Vuhledar in Bakhmut. As positional fighting continues in Kherson, they are pushing the frontline in Zaporizhzhia. Before more weapons and trained fighters from the West arrive, Ukraine is attempting to hold onto the territories.
The Leopard 2 (German), M1 Abrams (American), and Challenger 2 (British) main battle tanks, among others, that the West had promised, wouldn’t reach the battleground for a few more weeks.
[…] been subjected to months of savage warfare that has resulted in numerous fatalities on both sides, Ukraine has vowed to keep defending the […]